by Clay: Shedeur Sanders – QB, Colorado
Easily my college football Week 1 top performer goes to Shedeur Sanders. In his first start with Colorado under his pops, Sanders balled out on national television. Throwing for 510 yards and 4 TDs while completing 38 of his 47 attempts (80.9%), he picked apart #17 TCU in their 45-42 dub. Sanders recorded a whopping 200.1 rating and a QBR of 90.1. I think the father-son duo is set to be must see TV all year long.
Commish: Michael Penix Jr. – QB, Washington
Penix Jr. coming into his senior season is a Heisman watch guy with a lot to prove to league executives as he is a borderline first-round talent. Against Boise State, he delivered with 450 yards through the air and 5 TDs. A great start for the southpaw as he is hoping to lead his team to their second playoff birth in program history. Washington is a team to watch out for and with Penix Jr. leading the way they are a threat to everyone in the PAC-12.
Snade: TJ Finley – QB, Texas State
Finley is going under everyone’s radar and I’m gonna give him the love he deserves. The man led a 27.5-point underdog in Texas State into Waco and looked like the ATF with the way he used his weapons! 22-30 for 298 & 3 TDs + punching another one on the ground as they put up a 42 spot and BEAT THE BREAKS OFF of Baylor! Shoutout TJ Finley!
KKarp: Keon Coleman – WR, Florida State
FSU QB Jordan Travis threw for 342 yards in the Seminoles’ 45-24 beatdown over #5 LSU on Sunday night. Over 1/3 of those passing yards fell into the hands of Coleman. The Michigan State transfer was the main target for Travis, hauling in 9 catches for 122 yards and 3 TDs while being an absolute mismatch for a struggling Tigers secondary. In this performance alone, both Coleman and teammate Johnny Wilson pencil themselves in as one of the top wide receiver duos in college football moving forward.
(Special addition): Travis Hunter – ATH, Colorado
It would be criminal to leave Hunter off this list. The former top-ranked high school recruit had a breakout performance in his first game at the FBS level. Hunter finished the day with 11 catches for 119 yards on offense to go along with a Heisman-moment INT defensively (129 total snaps).
Honorable Mentions:
- Chez Mellusi/Braelon Allen (RBs, Wisconsin)
- D.J. Uiagalelei (QB, Oregon State)
- Laiatu Latu (DE, UCLA)
- Kimani Vidal (RB, Troy)
- Michael Pratt (QB, Tulane)
- Jordan Travis (QB, FSU)
Be sure to cast your vote for Gameday Journal Player of the Week below!